Lobster Clasp Sourcing Program for Hat and Cap Makers
Lobster Clasp Programme for Hat and Cap Makers
This programme covers the full path from a lobster clasp requirement to a repeatable bulk supply for hat and cap makers. Instead of buying whatever a catalogue happens to stock, you specify the base material, the 20 mm Width, the finish and the packing, and we hold that specification so every reorder matches the last one.
The most common failure in lobster clasp sourcing is not price — it is drift. A base material changes mill, the shade moves, a plating bath changes and the item quietly stops matching the approved sample. We prevent that with a written spec, an approved counter sample and a golden sample retained at the factory.
What the programme covers
- Specification build from your tech pack or a physical reference sample
- Base material and finish options with costed alternatives
- Sampling, testing and approval against GB 18401
- Bulk production with in-line inspection and photo reporting
- Packing, documentation and shipment under the agreed Incoterm
Recommended specifications
- Zinc Alloy — selected for colour depth and finish stability
- TPU — used when strength and abrasion resistance come first
- Recycled PET — selected for colour depth and finish stability
- Genuine Leather — chosen when the item has to survive repeated laundering
Programme parameters
| Item | Lobster Clasp |
|---|---|
| Target sector | Hat and Cap Makers |
| Standard size | 20 mm Width |
| Finish options | Anodised Finish, Enzyme Wash Finish, Rose Gold Plating |
| Processes | Anodising, Embossing, Digital Printing |
| MOQ | 2,000 pieces per specification |
| Sampling | 7 working days, 5 days per revision |
| Bulk lead time | 25-40 days |
| Compliance | GB 18401 |
| Delivery terms | EXW / FOB / CIF / DDP |
Why buyers choose this route
- Written specification held on file, so every reorder reproduces the approved sample
- AQL inspection on every bulk lot with photo reporting before balance payment
- Trim and fabric sourced from audited mills with test reports on file
- Costed alternatives shown at quotation so the trade-off is visible
- Compliance documentation issued with the shipment, not after it
How the programme runs
- Discovery call: quantity, target price, delivery window and compliance needs
- Material and finish proposal with costed alternatives
- Counter sample built from your tech pack or reference sample
- Approval, testing and pre-production sign-off
- Bulk production with in-line inspection and photo reporting
- Packing, documentation and shipment under the agreed Incoterm
FAQ
Can you match a physical sample?
Yes. Send the reference and we reverse engineer the specification, then produce a counter sample for approval before any bulk commitment.
What happens if a bulk lot fails inspection?
The lot is reworked or remade at our cost. Inspection reports are shared before the balance payment is due.
Do you hold stock for reorders?
Approved specifications are kept on file and, for repeat programmes, base material can be reserved against a rolling forecast.
What are the payment and delivery terms?
Standard terms are a deposit with the order and the balance before shipment, under EXW / FOB / CIF / DDP as agreed.
If you are comparing suppliers, send us the spec they quoted against. We will quote the same spec and show you where the difference sits.
